Samuel Richardson was born in Mackworth, Derbyshire. Since his family could not give him much education, he was apprenticed in the printing trade. By 1721 he had his own print shop. In 1733 he became printer to the House of Commons, which gave him financial security and allowed him to begin writing the novels for which he is best known: Pamela (1740); Clarissa (1747); and The History of Sir Charles Grandison (1754). He died of a stroke in 1761.

From the description of Letter, 1757. (Florida State University). WorldCat record id: 50658671